Black Male Initiative (BMI) is a student organization that helps uplift and create a sense of belonging among students at NIU.
Founded in 2001 by Don Bramlett, former graduation specialist at the Center for Black Studies, Black Male Initiative has been a student organization for 25 years.
Kaleb White, a senior marketing major and president of Black Male Initiative, explained BMI’s mission.
“We are an academic based organization. So our biggest mission is just making sure that we are creating a safe and comfortable environment for students to feel not only included, but also to have the resources they need to be successful on campus and to get them toward graduation,” White said. “Our goal is to graduate, so whether that is a four-year track, five-year track, six-year track, however long it takes you, we wanna give you the resources and the accommodations that you need to make sure that you graduate.”
BMI has five main pillars that it was founded on: academics, community service, mentoring, networking and image busting.
White explained why BMI is important for students.
“I would say that Black Male Initiative is important because as a whole, I think that students need a sense of belonging,” White said. “No matter who you are, no matter what group that you associate yourself a part of, no matter what race you are, I think that everybody needs a sense of belonging. And BMI provides that for its members.”
BMI hosts two main events each year. In the fall semester, they host an annual basketball tournament at the basketball courts by Stevenson Residence Halls for the community and in the spring semester they host the annual Apollo Talent Show, which is a talent show where the winner can win a $500 cash prize. The talent show will be held from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on March 21 in the Carl Sandburg Auditorium in the Holmes Student Center. The cost is $5 for students and $7 for guests. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
An upcoming event that the group has is their BMI Week, which is a week in support of BMI, and will be from March 16 through March 21. There will be numerous events hosted that week around campus such as BMI Drive, which is a fundraising event, study tables and a community service activity.
White was vice president of BMI last year and moved up to president for the 2025-2026 academic year.
White joined BMI because he loves their mission and the things they stand for.
“When I was a freshman, we actually came to campus, kind of before school started, for orientation, and there were different booths here that were promoting different student organizations. I saw there was a table for impact on leadership,” White said. “And, from there, I just said, OK, I want to be a part of this. So that first Monday, it was the first BMI meeting and I went. And from there, I’ve been a part of BMI ever since.”
BMI meets at 5 p.m. every Monday in the Heritage Room located in the Holmes Student Center. Every Monday a new topic is discussed. The topics can range from study tips to elevator pitches.
Students interested in joining Black Male Initiative can attend the meetings.
